Winding machine



May 30, 1961 Filed June 4, 1958 L. D. DUMBAULD WINDING MACHINE 5Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

LEWIS D. DUMBAULD MWgW ATTORNEYS L. D. DUMBAULD WINDING MACHINE 2 w H 6w W m m M D 0 L .M. B D W w l W C Y 1. w

a I I M 6 w 0 II 6 ll '1' 6 3 II I 7 D 9 .w w m m I I 6 I. 6 6 3 6 3 avP/ 6 I 6 2 'Jm M 5 :u..[ H F May 30, 1961 Filed June 4, 1958 y 1961 L.D. DUMBAULD 2,986,352

WINDING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1958 5 51 3 u fimmmmgkm u a E 5: i i h!VII- l 6 M35 13352 H 5 I (4% wmmmmi.

IN VEN TOR.

LEWIS D. DUMBAULD ATTORNEYS y 1961 L. D. DUMBAULD 2,986,352

WINDING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

LEWIS D. DUMBAULD BY Z v g ATTORNEYS y 1951 L. D. DUMBAULD 2,986,352

WINDING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG-I2.

:m 4 1NVENT0R.

LEWIS D.- DUMBAULD BY 1 TMZM' 1,! M 5 93 -Q I FlG. |2A ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent WINDING MACHINE Filed June 4, 1958, Ser. No. 739,886

8 Claims. (Cl. 24235.5)

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for the winding ofcoils.

Coil winding is normally effected on winders having a single poweredhead; with some winders a single coil is wound while on others a numberof coils may be wound simultaneously on a shaft driven by the singlehead. With such operations operator time loss is frequently considerableresulting in high unit cost per coil even when an operator services morethan one winder.

This invention contemplates the provision of apparatus which mounts aplurality of winding heads for rotation in order that the heads may bepresented to an operator of the apparatus for effecting necessary workthereon. Most suitably in the apparatus the spindles of the windingheads are driven from a common source to thus eliminate the expense ofindividual motorized units.

The invention further contemplates the provision of coil windingapparatus having a plurality of winding heads in which the spindles ofthe heads are driven from a common source and which source isautomatically disconnected from a spindle upon attainment of apredtermined number of turns on a coil being wound on the spindle.

The invention also contemplates as an important feature windingapparatus, the speed of which is readily controllable in order that thewinding heads may be presented to an operator at such a rate as toutilize the full capabilities of the operator.

The invention contemplates as a particular feature the provision ofwinding apparatus in which a plurality of winding heads are driven in anorbit and the spindles of the heads are driven in rotation while passingthrough the orbit, the spindle speed being variable through the orbit.

The invention contemplates in addtion the provision of a novel methodfor the winding of spools on a mass production basis with elongatedmaterial such as magnet wire, ribbon and tape.

In the practice of the invention winding heads are mounted on arotatable mount and means are provided to drive the mount through anorbit or closed path. A spindle projects from each head and moves withthe head through the closed path. In addition, in the preferredembodiment of the invention, the spindles are each arranged to be drivenfrom a common source such as a friction disc.

Wheels carried by the spindles describe a path eccentric to that of theclosed path of the winding heads and provide for varying spindle speedand consequently varying rotational speed of a bobbin carried on thespindle.

Elongated material such as magnet wire is drawn from a supply reel to abobbin and the wire is wound on the bobbin at a speed determined by thespindle speed. The supply of elongated material rotates with the windingheads through the closed path.

A counter is provided in conjunction with each winding 'head and thiscounter is pre-set to limit the number of turns applied to the bobbin.Such counters are known; in the practice of this invention when thebobbin has completed the predetermined number of turns, the spindle isautomatically lifted from the spindle drive to stop further winding.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention to be described more fullyhereinafter a considerable plurality-twelve-of winding heads are driventhrough the closed path. Initially to produce a winding an operatorsimply passes a start wire from a supply to the bobbin in a manner tocause the wire to be retained by the bobbin; for example, the start wire'may be inserted into the hollow core of the bobbin or taped to thebobbin. This may be done while the head and spindle which will wind thebobbin rotate past the operator. With the bobbin on the spindle and thewire secured the spindle is lowered into contact with the friction disc,either automatically or by the operator.

In the preferred embodiment the wire or other elongated material isfirst wound on the bobbin slowly to prevent undue pull on the wire andwire breakage; this is accomplished by lowering the wheel carried on thespindle into contact with the friction disc at a point close to thecenter of the disc where the feet per minute speed of the disc is low.

As the head carrying the spindle and wheel rotate, due to the eccentricrelationship of the path of the head and the path of the wheel describedon the friction disc the speed of the spindle in rotation increases to amaximum and then decreases as the head approaches the end of the closedpath. Thus the spindle decreases in speed as the winding nearscompletion and less chance of breakage of the wire is present. Asalready noted when the appropriate number of turns have been applied thewinding operation of the bobbin ceases due to the raising of the spindlefrom the disc.

Also in the preferred embodiment the wire extending to the bobbin fromthe supply is automatically cut and the finish end sealed to the bobbin,as with a hot wax application.

The speed of rotation of both the winding heads and .the friction discmay be controlled separately to provide for a considerable variation inwinding speed. Thus the speed of the friction disc may be increased tooccasion an increase in the number of turns wound on the bobbin whilethe rotational speed of the head may be maintained constant at thatcapacity which is readily handled by a given operator. Conversely thespeed of the head may be altered to provide the bobbins more or lessquickly to the operator to accommodate the operators skill.

To inhibit against slippage of the drive wheels of the spindles and toprovide for accurate positioning of the winding heads a torsion barextends from each winding head to a center mount on the shaft whichsupports the friction disc. This torsion bar takes the strain andpermits free rotation of the drive Wheel of the spindle, providing foraccurate winding.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is an elevational view with parts broken away and in sectionillustrating a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating the arrangement of thewinding heads and stations as well as the eccentric relationship of thepath traversed by the winding heads and the path traversed by the drivewheels of the spindles;

Figure 3 is an enlarged and fragmentary view illustrating thearrangement of the center mount shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational view partially in sectionillustrating the arrangement of the winding head on the rotatable mount;

'with the shaft.

amount which supports the Winding heads;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary and perspective view of details of theapparatus;

Figures 10, 11, 12 and 12A illustrate schematically electricalarrangements for the control of the apparatus;

Figure 13 is a view of the center mount arrangement for the torsionbars; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary and elevational view illustrating the driveshaft arrangement for the winding head of Figure 4.

In general the embodiment described comprises:

(a) A frame or base for providing a rotatable support;

(b) A mounting plate carrying winding heads and a supply of elongatedmaterial as well as supplementary equipment mounted for rotation on thebase;

A source of driving power for the winding heads, which source isindependent of the mounting plate drive means;

(d) A counter of conventional construction'for presetting the number ofturns to be wound on the bobbins;

and

(e) An arangement for supplyingpower to thevarious mechanisms for thedriving thereof.

In the detailed description which follows similar numerals, wherepracticable, have been 'ntilizedto designate corresponding parts. 7

Referring first particularly to Figures land 8, a'supporting base isindicated generally at "1 formed 'ofangle irons including uprights 2'and connecting members '3 welded or otherwise suitably secured togetherto format rectangular support having open sides.

The base 1 supports a pair of variable speed drives indicated generallyat 4 and5. Forthe mounting of a first one 'of these drives, 4, there isprovided on the base alow intermediate transverselyextending member6.havfing thereon an upright 7 to "which there is "secured a bracket 8.Bracket 8 journals the end of a screw 9. A motor base 10 supports motor11 and is mounted on screw 9 for longitudinal movement "between 'bracket'8 and ascrew retainer 12. Additionally,'apair of :bars 9a extendingparallel with the screw provide support for the motor.

Screw retainer 12 is carried on an outer upright 13 of the base. Theretainer 12 with bracket 8'fixes the screw 9 against longitudinalmovement. Screw retainer 12 is provided with a hand wheel 14 for"effecting rota- 'tion of the screw and consequently movement of themotor base 10 and the motor '11. Motor shaft 15 of motor 11 is providedwith a variable speed pulley 16 over which passes a variable speed belt17 to a pulley 18 fixed on a vertically extending shaft 19 for rotationAccordingly rectilineal movement of the motor 11 on the screw 19provides for fixing the riding position of the belt 17 'in' the pulley16 and therefore determines the rotational speed of pulley 18 and shaft19.

Shaft 19 is supported in a self-aligning bearing 20 mounted on atransverse member 21 of the base and which member extends parallel tothe member 6. Transverse member 21 is positioned eccentrically (Figure8) and consequently the vertically extending shaft 19 is disposedeccentrically to the base, but is fixed substantially centrally of thelength of the member 21. The-cccentrio relationship of shaft 19 isindicated in'Figures 2 and 8, and will be referred tomoreparticularlyhereinafter.

The second variable speed drive 5 has a motor base which is movable on ascrew 22 (Figure '8) to position the motor 23; motor 23 has a variablespeed pulley 24 carried on the shaft thereof. The screw 22 is mounted inthe retainer 25a and the motor, and its pulley, are positionable on thescrew by actuation of a hand Wheel 26 on the retainer 25a.

Variable speed belt 27 passes over a pulley 28 on the shaft 25 of gearbox 29, which 'gear box is mounted on the tnansversemember 21 of thebase. The gear box .29 carries .on its outputshaft a sprocket 30 overwhich a roller chain 31 drives to a sprocket 32; idler 33 supported fromthe base '1 in any convenient manner maintains tension on the rollerchain. The sprocket 32 is secured on a vertically extending shaft 34which is mounted in spaced pillow blocks 35 supported from the base 1.

Accordingly, the vertical shafts 19 and 32 are each drivable throughtheir separate variable speed drives at pro-selected speeds.

Rectangular base 1 .has secured to its upper side a cast ring 36 whichisof a greater diameter than the base width and accordingly projectsbeyond the base (Figure 8). The center of this ring 36 is coaxial withthe intersectionof the horizontal diagonals of the rectangular base andthe ring -36 .has a cross-section of channel shape (Figure l).

The channel shaped ring 36 supports a first plurality of cam rollers,some of which are indicated at 37 (Fig ure 1). These rollers 37 havevertical axes of rotation; the ring 36 also supports .a second pluralityof rollers, one of whichis indicated at 38 (Figure l) and which vrollers38 have horizontal :axes .of rotation. Preferably the rollers 37 and .38are alternately disposed about the vring .36; rollers 37 are guides androllers 38 are :sup-

ports as noted hereinafter. It vwill be understood that a .suflicientnumber of rollers are provided to effect the desiredfunctions.

Since .the mounting-arrangement of all .rollers 37 and all rollers3.8:is similar, reference is .made in detail only .to one :rollerarrangement ,of each. As shown in Figure lroller 37 is ,rotatably.mounted' on .a vertical shaft 39 supported at its lower end in abracket 40; bracket 40 is secured to a horizontal ibrace 4.1 which iswelded to the interior of the channel shaped ring 3.6. The roller 37 isthen positionedinwardly and upwardly of the ring.

Roller .38 is rotatably mounted on a horizontal shaft 42 and .iscarricd-onia bracket combination 43, which is itself welded to theinterior of ring 36. The roller 38 lies-above the .ringi36 and extendsover the ring.

The ring 36 also carries across member 44.disposed ofi the centerof thering and extending above the transverse member 21. .Supported .on the.cross member 44 is a self-aligning bearing 45a whichjournals vertically'extending .shaft'19. Such cross member 44 could also be supported bythe basel.

An annular mounting plate 45 is bolted on a circular mounting platesupport 46 which is channel shaped in. cross-section. Support 46 ismounted for rotation on rollers 38 which .engage the lower side of thesupport. Therollers 37 engage thesupport interiorly and guide thesupport in its rotation. For these purposes the lower side of htesupport which contacts the rollers 38 and the edge which contactsrollers 37 are machined smooth.

'The mounting plate "45 is of'slightly greater diameter than the support46 and is concentric therewith and also with ring'36. As may beseen fromFigure l the mounting plate 45 projects beyond the support 46, andsupport 46 carries onitsouter-periphery a friction material covering 47(Figure 4) preferably of rubber. A timer belt 48 (Figure 4) engages overthe friction material, passes around the periphery (Figure 8) of thesupport. and over a sprocket 49 secured on the upper end of :shaft 34.Thusthexsupport 46 and the plate 45 are'drivable. at a predeterminedrotational speed.

Idlers 50, 51 and adjustable idler 52 (Figure 8) serve to maintaintension on the timing belt.

The vertically extending shaft 19 projects above the mounting plate 45(Figure 1) and is eccentric thereto (Figure 2). Welded adjacent an upperend of shaft 19 and rotatable with the shaft 19 is a circular frictiondisc 53.

The shaft 19 at its upper end (Figures 3 and 13) is of reduced diameterto provide a shoulder 56 for a hub nut 54 which threadedly engages a hub55, the hub and nut being rotatably mounted on the shaft 19, theshoulder 56 of the shaft 19 supporting the hub and hub nut. At its upperextremity the hub (Figure 3) is enlarged at 57 and provides a seat 58for a bearing 59 which ro tatably supports the shaft 19.

Between the hub enlargement at 57 and the nut 54, the hub 55 furnishes aperipheral bearing surface which receives a plurality of verticallysuperposed yokes or center mounts 60 (Figures 3 and 13). These yokesencircle the hub and are rotatable about the hub with torque bars 61 ofcircular cross-section and to which reference will be made moreparticularly hereinafter.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the mounting plate 45 is shown tocarry a plurality of winding heads indicated generally at 62, whichheads are shown in greater detail in Figures 4, and 6. In the embodimentillustrated the winding heads 62 are twelve in number (Figure 2). Thepositions traversed by the winding heads in the rotation of the mountingplate 45 are indicated by the letters A to L in Figure 2, and eachwinding head is indicated as being in a specific position in the figure.

Since the winding heads are similar only one will be described indetail. Thus referring first to Figure 4 a base member 63 receives astud 64 which is threaded into the mounting plate 45, but which journalsthe base member 63 for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane on themounting plate. The base member 63 is of generally rectangularconfiguration in plane view, but is provided with a curvature at itsinner end 65. A retainer block 66 having at 67a a curvaturecomplementary to that of the base member at 65 is secured to the annularmounting plate 45 on the inner periphery thereof by studs as at 68 inFigure 4. Block 66 has a lip 69 which projects over the base member 63and inhibits raising of the base member during apparatus operation.

Secured somewhat rearwardly on the base member 63 is a bracket 70(Figure 7) which extends upwardly and transversely of the base member63. Bracket 70 has a transverse base portion 71 from which arms 72 and72a extend upwardly; a cross-member 73 serves to strengthen the bracket.

The bracket 70 provides support for the principal elements of thewinding head. Thus a spindle link 74 provided with extending yoke-likearms 75, terminating at one end in bosses 76, is journaled on trunnions77 in. opposed apertures of arms 72 and 72a (Figures 5 and 7). The arms75 which are of substantially rectangular cross-section extend from ahub 78 at the other end of the link. A spindle housing 79 is secured toand projects from the hub 78 inwardly of the mounting plate 45. Aspindle 80 is rotatably mounted within the housing and projects alsoinwardly of the mounting plate 45 over the friction disc 53; asillustrated in Figure 2 the spindles are so arranged that theirrotational axes are directed toward shaft 19, the rotational axis of thefriction disc 53.

In this embodiment the spindle 80 is restrained against longitudinalmovement in the housing 79 by mounting the spindle 80 with a press fitin roller bearings seated at either end of the housing as at 7911 inFigure 14.

Fixedly retained by the arms 72 and 720 by bracket 70 above the spindlelink 74 is a torque tube structure 81. The structure 81 (Figure 7)comprises a cross-beam member 82 which is threaded on its opposite endsto receive through the arms 72 and 72a retaining screws 83 (Figures 4and 5). Centrally (Figure 7) the cross-beam portion 82 is apertured toprovide for receipt of the torque tube proper 61a. The torque tube 61ais suitably welded to the cross-beam portion 82 to provide a rigidstructure.

The torque bar 61, referred to hereinbefore, is receivedslidably withinthe torque tube 61a for longitudinal movement in the torque tube.

Bracket 70 (Figures 5 and 7) is provided with a protuberance 84 formedas a bearing housing and rotatably receiving a shaft 85. The shaft 85carries a sprocket 86 and a somewhat smaller sprocket 87, the latterbeing posi-' tioned at the forward or outer end of the shaft (Figure 5 Atimer belt 88 passes around the sprocket 89 (driven from spindle andthen around the sprocket 86 to provide for the driving of shaft a secondtimer belt 90 passes around sprocket 87 to a sprocket 91 carried on arotatable shaft 92 of a counter 93 which is mounted atop the bracket 70.Counter 93 is itself of a standard construction, commercially available,and serves to indicate the rotations and the number of turns made by thewinding head spindle. For this purpose it is provided with a dial 94, are-set arm 95 and a lock lever 95a. A counter frame 96 is suitablybolted to the bracket as at 97.

Adjacent the counter 93 on the bracket 70 is a control box 98; controlbox 98 has on the front thereof a manual switch 99 and a pilot light100. This control box mounts interiorly a panel 101 (Figure 4) throughwhich electrical connection is made to the components of the box (Figure10). As indicated power is supplied through cable 102 via plug 103 tothe circuitry which includes a solenoid 104 (Figures 4 and 10) inparallel with the pilot light 100. An on-olf switch 105 (Figures 5 and10) mounted on the side of the box controls the application of power tothe components of box 98; the manual switch 99 on the front of thecontrol box permits the energization of the solenoid 104 at the electionof the operator of the apparatus when the switch 105 is in the onposition.

Referring now to Figure 10 it -will be seen that switch 106 is closed bycam 106a of the counter when the preset count is attained; this appliespower from the line through switch 105, panel lug 2, switch 106 andpanel lug d to'the line. in Figure 10 the representation is schematicand for convenience some connections are illustrated through conductorsrather than the panel lugs.

The solenoid core indicated at 107 is secured to one end of the chain108 (Figure 4) which serves as a latching connection and passes over aguide idler 109 and is provided at its lower end with a pivot member110. Member 110 is journalled on a stud 111 and is retained by a studcollar 112; the stud is itself fixed in the lateral side of the hub 78.

The guide idler 109 is rotatably carried on stud 113 which projects froma vertically extending lever 114 pivoted on a stud 116 secured in thebracket 70 (Figure 4) and retained in position by a collar 117 on thestud and by the bracket 70 itself.

The upward vertical limit position of lever 114 is adjusted through thescrew 118 passing threadedly and horizontally through the bracketprojection 119 to abut the lever and provide a stop. Lever 114 is cutout to provide for engagement with the screw 118.

Energization of the solenoid 104 therefore causes the spindle link 74 topivot upwardly on the trunnions 77 and to raise the spindle upwardly.For biasing the spindle downwardly there is provided a spring 121 whichis seated on the hub 78 and which abuts at its upper end a knurled nut122 on screw 123, the screw 123 being retained on the bracket by nut 124on the upper end of the screw and bearing against the bracket. A limitblock is indicated at 125 to limit solenoid armature movement.

Outwardly on the base member 63 a casing 126 is supported in fixedposition; a shaft 127, shown in the drawings (Figure 6) as ofrectangular cross-section at its extremity, extends through the casingand projects outwardly thereon to receive a bobbin 128. ,Bobbin 128rotates 7 thesh'aft 1257:. Shaft 127 is flexibly coupled to. the.

spindle sun (Figure 14).. and iszdriven by the-spindle; the-spindle and;shaft together form the drive shaft means for the winding head. Flexiblecoupling 129 is of any suitableconstructionsuch as a flexible tubehaving splined end caps for receipt of the coupled. shafts in splinedrela tionwith the shafts. The. spindle, shaft 127 and the coupling,for-1n rotary winding means of the winding head.

Internally of the'casiug gearing (not shown) driven by the shaft 127effects. motion of stud shaft 130* carrying a spur gear 131. A geartrain comprising the gear 131 and gears 132, 13.3- and 134 actuates. acam. 135, which cam is carried on shaft 136 and. is arranged to contacta follower 137 (Figure 6).

This gearing arrangement forms a part of the traversing. mechanismindicated generally at 138. Mechanism 138 includes. a. frame 13-9 havingupstanding legs 140 and 141 through. apertures of which a rod 142slidably passes. A. collar. 1.43 on rod 142 provides an adjustable limitstop for rod traverse. Rod 142 has at its outer endta carrier 144 for aguide 145 which is itself adjustably mounted on. a screw 146 supportedin any convenient manner on an upstanding member 14-7. Member 147projects from and above carrier 144.

A spring 148 having one end fastened to the frame leg 141 and the otherto carrier 144 biases the carrier inwardly and consequently biases thefollower 137 into contact. with the cam 135. Accordingly as cam 135rotates the guide 145 is caused to traverse inwardly and outwardlyrelative to the shaft 12-7 and the bobbin 128 on the shaft.

Elongated material is-fed to the bobbin 128 over guide 145. from abovethe winding: head. For this purpose, as shown in Figure 1, a deck in theform of. an annular ring; 149 is; supported from the mounting plate 45by a plurality of angleiron structures 150; thus deck 149 rotates withthe mounting plate 45 and forms a portion of carrier means for thesupplyof elongated material. Fixed in. position on the deck 149 are aplurality of de-reeling devices indicated generally at 152,. one foreachwinding head. The. de-teeling devices 152 are in themselvessimilar,, but for the. purpose of providing as many as possible withinagiven. spacing, they are in vertically stag red relation forming anupper tier and a lower tier. The devices of the upper tier (Figure 1)are mounted on vertically extending bent bars 153, while those of thelower tier are mounted on shorter bent bars 154 as shown. The.- rotarywinding means of each head. is in general alignment with the carriermeans. for the supply to provide for drawing and winding, of theelongated material.

Each de-reeling device 152 comprises a base element 155, a cone 156 oftransparent material, and a supply reel of wire 157 secured onthe baseelement within the cone. Wire is withdrawn from reel 157 through aseries of felt covered fingers indicated at 158 over a spring loadedtension device pulley 159 carried on an arm 160. The arm 160 extendsalong the cone from the base element 155 to above the upper open end ofthe cone. The wire indicated at 161 in its course passes downwardly overthe guide 145. to the bobbin 128. Rotation of bobbin 128 with shaft 127provides the pulling force, occasioning the wire to be drawn from thereel.

Suspended from the deck 149 by brackets 162 is a circular sheet metalpan 163 forming a sub-deck which itself. has a depending. shield 164 inthe form of a canvas sheetriveted thereto. A cable conduit 165 extendsaround this sub-deck.163 and is provided with electrical outlets 166,one for each Winding; head. Each outlet 166 is adapted to receive a plug103. (Figure 4) of the cable 102, which cable is mechanically supportedby the clip 167 on the control box 98- (Figure4).

For supplying power to the winding head through the outlets 166 a box168 houses a slip ring 169 (Figure 12A) and the box is itself supportedon a cross-beam 170 page.

fed from supply line leads. 171 through contractor-172 and slip ring 169to the outlets 166 and then to. the winds ing heads, as the mountingplate 45, the deck 149 and the. sub-deck 162 rotate in unison.

Returning now to Figures 4 and 6, it will be noted that the spindlecarries on its inward end a drive wheel 173. Drive wheel 173 has a hub174 which is set screwed to the spindle 80. As shown in Figure 4 drivewheel 173 is in contact with the friction disc 53 and accordinglyrotation of friction disc 53 will cause rotation of wheel 17 3 as wellas spindle 80. In the embodiment shown the friction disc and wheel havea diameter ratio. of 13:1; this ratio maybe chosen to provide greater orlesser torque to facilitate winding of heavier or lighter magnet wire.

As already noted the winding head spindle 80 in this embodiment is fixedagainst longitudinal movement relative to the spindle housing and thewinding head and accordingly wheel 173 will describe on the frictiondisc 53 the orbit, a portion of which is indicated in Figure 2 by thedot-dash line 175; the positions of wheels 173 in Figure 2 outline thisorbit. Thus the wheel and spindle speed will increase from station A tostation G and decrease from station G to station L (Figure 2); atstation A the spindle speed is low while it is a maximum when a head ispositioned as indicated at G;

It is to be noted, however, that, as set out more particularlyhereinafter, in a preferred mode of operation the wheel is lifted fromthe friction disc 53 by actuation of the solenoid prior to reaching thestation L and upon completion of a winding, in the usual course ofoperation.

To. position the winding heads and to insure of accuracy of operationthe torque bars 61 are provided to take the strain from the wheel 173and to inhibit wheel slip- These torque bars 61. are slidable in thetorque tubes 61a, as already noted. Further, the pressure of the wheelson the friction disc is controlled; the springs 121 serve this purpose.

Referring, however, to Figure 3, it is to be noted that the torque bar61 extends into a depending boss 176 of the torque bar center mount oryoke 60. The bosses vary in. dimension from one to another (Figure 13}in order to compensate for their positioning on the hub and to providethat each of the torque bars will lie on the same center line.

Thus the boss 176 of the uppermost yoke (Figure 13) is larger. in itsdimensions than the boss of the lowermost yoke; the remaining bosses aresimilarly appropriately dimensioned and thus the torque bars carried bythe yokes all. lie in substantially the same horizontal plane.

For the purpose of forming on the apparatus a completed commerciallyacceptable wound bobbin there is provided adjacent the terminal stationsA and L equipment for applying to the wound bobbin a small amount of hotwax; there is also provided equipment to cut the wire extending from thesupply reel as the winding head advances toward station L. The hot waxwhich is applied before the cutting of the wire extends over only asmall portion of the winding periphery and serves to retain the cutfinish wire end on the bobbin.

Thus as the winding head approaches the station L in the directionindicated by the arrow (Figure 2) the wire 161 is directed by fingerguide 178 (Figure 9) into the jaws. of a clipper 179 mounted on a fixedsupport 180. Such support 180 may be suitably mounted from the frame 1,.for example.

As. the casing 126 traverses beneath the movable contact arm 181 thecontact arm is biased to a closed position to supply current to theclipper causing the clipper to snip the wire 161. Projecting over themounting plate 45 and beneath the bobbin 123 is a pot 182 of moltenbeeswax to apply wax to the bobbin winding just prior tothe entry of thewire to the clipper.

Rotatably mounted. in the pot 182 in contact with the spanning deck.149. As shown in Figure 12A power is 75 beeswax is a brush 183 carriedon shaft 184 of motor mass 9 185. Suitably the pot has a heating element(not shown) therein. Motor 185 is itself carried on a standard 186 fromwhich struts 187 extend to support the pot 182.- An air blast nozzle 188is conveniently positioned adjacent station L and is utilized by theoperator to blow the start wire from the core hole of the bobbin.

Operator controls for the apparatus are provided as indicated in Figures11, 12 and 12A. Thus there is provided at 189 an indicating light,preferably red, which shows when the apparatus is in operation. Anemergency stop button is provided at 190.

For providing 115 volt, 60 cycle, single phase power to the windingheads through the outlets 166 operator button switch 191 is provided onbox 192 (Figure 11) and is shown schematically in Figure 12A; stopbutton switch 193 which is normally in a closed position (Figure 12A)provides for breaking the circuit to interrupt the power supplied to theoutlets 166 through contactor 172.

On box 192 button switch 194 (Figure 12) controls the application ofpower to contactor 195 and switch 196 provides for opening of thecircuit at the election of the operator. Closure of 194 provides powerto drive motor however, button switch 194 is interlocked with buttonswitch 197 and power cannot be applied to motor 10 until the motor 23has been energized and has set the friction disc 53 in motionthisprevents any tendency of the drive wheels 173 to scuff the frictiondisc. Contactor 198 provides for the application of 220 volt 3- phasepower to motor 23 and button switch 199 provides the control forstopping the flow of power to motor 23.

M ode of operation In the operation of the device an operator positionedbetween stations A and L (Figure 2) places bobbins to be wound on thespindle shaft 127. When effecting this operation the operator attachesthe start wire from the supply reel to the bobbin; one convenient way ofdoing ,this is to simply insert the lead end of the start wire into thehollow core of the bobbin. Any other suitable manner of retaining thewire on the bobbin may be employed.

The operator then, assuming the apparatus is not in operation, withcounter 93 clear, sets the counter to the desired number of turns to beformed on the winding. Switch 105 is set to the on position andaccordingly the drive wheel of the winding head is positioned on thefriction disc 53. At this time the cam 106:: is in the position shown inFigure 10 and switch 106 is open. Re-set arm 95 is effective to clearthe counter and set the circuit to the condition of Figure 10 asindicated by the dotted lines in Figure 10.

Power is preferably applied first to the winding head control box 98through outlets 166 by closing button switch 191; button switch 197 isthen closed to set motor 23 (Figure 12) in operation and to drivefriction disc 53; then switch 194 is closed to energize motor 10 andstart the travel of the winding heads.

With the supplying of power a bobbin at position or station A in Figure2 would commence to wind very slowly since bobbin rotation is controlledby the speed of drive wheel 173 which is well inwardly of the frictiondisc at station A. As the winding head is moved with the plate 45 tosucceeding positions to station G the drive wheel speed and consequentlythe bobbin speed and winding speed increase as the orbit of the drivewheel approaches the friction disc periphery. Also the winding headpivots on stud 64 (Figure 4) as may be clearly seen from the windinghead positioning in Figure 2. As the winding head moves from station Gtoward station L the speed decreases. The winding speed and the numberof turns are suitably predetermined such that the required number ofturns is applied to the bobbin prior to reaching the operator adjacentstation L.

As the head rotates through the closed path the head pivots on themounting plate under the influence of the torque structure and thespindles maintain an alignment 10 such that they are directed towardshaft 19. The torque bar structure telescopes to provide for lengthchange in the torque bar structure; however the spindle projection fromthe heads remains constant in length.

Thus cam 106a will close switch 106 to cause energization of solenoid104 and pick up of the drive wheel 173 from the friction disc as thewinding head is adjacent position K, for example. This stops the windingcompletely, but it is to be particularly noted that the winding speedhas gradually slowed and accordingly the stopping action is a smoothone. I

It is to be noted further that the tension of the wire 161 is effectiveto bring the drive wheel to a stop abruptly upon removal of the wheelfrom the friction disc. With the stopping of the rotary winding meansthe wire extending from the source of supply tends to slacken.

The wound bobbin is waxed on the periphery, the wire 161 now in a slackcondition is cut, the bobbin removed, and the start wire is blown fromthe core of the tube as already described, and the winding operation iscomplete.

Each bobbin in succession follows the outlined process and the bobbinsare fed from the. supply of elongated material supported by the carriermeans for the supply on the mounting plate.

The operator in the continuous operation of the apparatus then positionsa bobbin to be wound on the winding head shaft as a completed bobbin isremoved. The operator merely attaches the start wire and trips there-set arm to lower the drive wheel to the friction disc as the windinghead passes the operator station between A and L positions.

The structure of the invention has proved thoroughly efficient in theattainment of the ends for which it is designed. The plurality ofwinding heads mounted for rota tion in a closed path provides for thepresentation of the winding heads to an operator at good speed and at arate commensurate with the skill of the operator, sub stantiallyeliminating waste time. The plurality of functions performed as theheads move through the closed path such as winding, waxing and cuttingof the wire improves economy of operation as well as providing afavorable space factor as to equipment. 7

The provision of the driving shaft means for the heads such that theshafts are driven at a gradually increasing and then decreasing speedinhibits against wire breakage-the utilization of means such as thefriction disc as a common drive source for the heads is advantageous inreducing original equipment cost.

It is to be noted in this connection that the friction disc may berotated in either direction to provide for winding on the head in eitherdirection. Also as will be apparent other operations could be performedin this rotation of the winding heads if such be desired.

Further the diameter of the drive wheel 173 in the preferred embodimentmay be chosen to provide for a given speed ratio between the frictiondisc and the wheel, thus adding considerable flexibility to theapparatus arrangement.

Thus, for example, if heavy wire is to be drawn a larger drive wheel maybe employed to provide higher torque. Also the eccentricity and thespindle length may be pre-selected for specific winding purposes.

With respect to the speed it is generally desirable to adjust the speedof the plurality of winding heads and the mounting plate tosubstantially the capabilities of the operator. The speed of thefriction disc is adjusted to wind the required number of turns of wirewhile yet permitting the operation of winding to be completed after adecelerating period and such that other operations, e.g. cutting, may beperformed prior to the complete movement of the winding head through theclosed path.

The feature of infinitely variable speed is an important feature inconnection both with operator operation and the nature of the elongatedmaterial to be wound. Mag- 11 net wire, for example, varies widely indiameter and flexibility, and accordingly it is desired to be able toprovide for the, pulling of, the wire underoptimum conditions of torqueand speed; the apparatus of this invention serves this purpose.

Normally the drive means for the rotary winding means of the heads willrotate at a greater rotational speed than the mounting plate since ingeneral the coils wound will have a great many turns. However, coils of.only very few turns may be suitably wound, as will be apparent and therotational speed of the winding means may be low.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modificationin order to adapt it to different usages and conditions and accordinglyit is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention asmay fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of producing coils which comprises the steps of providing aplurality of winding heads, each having rotary winding means, with thewinding heads in substantially planar, peripherally spaced relation anddriving the winding heads in a closed path unintermittently andsuccessively past a work station, manually applying a bobbin, to bewound with. elongated material, to each rotary winding means as thewinding heads pass the work station, passing elongated material to eachbobbin as the winding heads to rotate through the closed path, drivingthe rotary winding means and the bobbins thereon individually at agradually increasing rotational speed to a maximum speed and then agradually decreasing rotational speed from the maximum rotational speedas the winding heads rotate through the closed path to wind elongatedmaterial on, the bobbins and to form a coil on each bobbin, stoppingtherotation of each wound bobbin as the rotational speed of the bobbin isdecreasing from the maximum speed and as the wound bobbin approaches thework station, manually removing the wound bobbin and replacing the woundbobbin with a bobbin to be wound.

2. In coil winding apparatus in which elongated material is de-reeledfrom a source of supply of the elongated material, in combination: abase; a mounting plate rotatably supported on the base for rotation in aclosed path about an axis which extends perpendicularly to the mountingplate; carrier means for a supply of elongated material and a pluralityof winding heads supported by the mounting plate for rotation togetherand with the mounting plate, the winding heads being in peripherallyspaced relation; means for driving the mounting plate in rotation;rotary winding means included in each winding head and aligned with thecarrier means for de-reeling elongated material to be wound and eachrotary winding means extending inwardly of the mounting plate; and acommon drive source inwardly of the mounting plate engageable with each,of the inwardly extending rotary winding means for imparting rotation toeach of said rotary winding means whereby elongated material isde-reeled and wound on the rotary winding means as the winding heads andcarrier means rotate in the closed path, said common drive source havingan eccentric driving relationship to the said rotary winding means tocause the speed of each of the winding means and hence the de-reeling ofthe elongated material to increase to a maximum and then decrease to aminimum in the rotation of the winding means in the closed path.

3. In coil winding apparatus in which elongated material is de-reeledfrom a source of supply of. the elongated material, in combination: abase; an annular mounting plate rotatably supported on the base forrotation in a closed path about an, axis which extends perpendicularlyto the mounting plate; carrier means for a supply of elongated materialandv a plurality of winding heads supported by the mounting. plate. forrotation together and with the mounting plate, the winding, heads being,in peripherally spaced relation; means for driving the mounting plate:in rotation; rotary winding means included in each winding head andaligned with the carrier means for de-reeling elongated material to bewound and each rotarywinding means, having a spindle extending from thewinding head inwardly of the annular mounting plate; a drive wheel fixedon, each spindle; a friction drive element inwardly of the mountingplate engageable eccentrically'with each of the drive wheels forimparting a varying speed of rotation to each of said rotary windingmeans at a speed gradually increasing to a maximum and then graduallydecreasing from the maximum whereby elongated material is de-reeled andwound at varying speed on the rotary winding means as the winding headsand carrier means rotate in the closed path; and means to rotate thefriction drive element.

4. In coil winding apparatus in which elongated mate. rial. is de-reeledfrom a source of supply of the material and wound in coils, incombination: a friction drive element rotatable on a first axis whichextends perpendicularly to the element; means to drive the frictiondrive el'e ment in rotation about the first axis; carrier means for asupply of the elongated material and also a plurality of winding headsin peripherally spaced relationship supported for rotation together in aclosed path about the first axis on a second axis eccentric to the firstaxis and substantially parallel to the first axis, both axes extendingsubstantially perpendicularly to the closed path; means to drive thecarrier means and winding heads in the closed path; rotary winding meansincluded in each winding head aligned with the carrier means forde-reeling elongated material to be wound, said rotary winding means ofeach head, extending from the head toward the said axis of the frictiondrive element; a friction drive wheel on each rotary winding means forrotation with the rotary winding means and engageable with the frictiondrive element to describe an orbit on the friction drive elementeccentric to the closed path of the winding heads; a plurality of pivotmeans extending perpendicularly to the closed path substantiallyparallel to the, first and second axes and disposed peripherally aboutthe closed path, each pivot means retaining a winding head for pivotalmovement as the head traverses the closed path, and means to pivot eachhead in its traverse of the closedpathtto-maintain the rotary windingmeans directed to the axis of the friction drive element.

5. In coil winding apparatus in which elongated material is de-reeledfrom a source of supply of the material and wound into coils, incombination: a base; an annular mounting plate in a horizontal planesupported rotatably on the base; pivot pins projecting from the mountingplate upwardly and disposed around the periphery of the mounting plate;a plurality of winding heads supported on the mounting plate forrotation therewith and one head engaged on eachpin for pivotal movementon the plate relative to its pin; carrier means for a supply of theelongated material on the mounting plate for rotation with the mountingplate; means for driving the mounting plate in rotation; a main shaftjournalled in the base extending substantially vertically above themounting plate and eccentric to the rotational axis of the mountingplate; a friction, drive element secured on the main shaft above themounting plate for rotation with the main shaft means to drive the mainshaft and friction drive element in rotation; rotary winding meansincluded in each winding head and aligned with the carrier means forde-reeling elongated materialv to be wound, said rotary winding means ofeach head extending from the head toward the. said main shaft and thesaid. friction drive element; a. friction drive wheel fixed onieachrotary winding means for. rotation with the rotary winding means, andengageable. with the friction drive, element to be driven by thefriction drive element, and a telescoping torque bar structure of eachwinding head fixed to the winding head and jour- 13 nalled on the mainshaft pivotally moved on the mounting plate as the Winding heads and themounting plate rotate.

6. In coil winding apparatus in which elongated material is de-reeledfrom a source of supply of the material and wound into coils, incombination: a base; an annular mounting plate in a horizontal planesupported rotatably on the base; pivot pins projecting from the mountingplate upwardly and disposed around the periphery of the mounting plate;a plurality of winding heads supported on the mounting plate forrotation therewith and one head engaged on each pin for pivotal movementon the plate relative to its pin; carrier means for a supply of theelongated material on the mounting plate for rotation with the mountingplate; means for driving the mounting plate in rotation; a main shaftjournalled in the base extending substantially vertically above themounting plate and eccentric to the rotational axis of the mountingplate; a friction drive element secured on the main shaft above themounting plate for rotation with the main shaft means to drive the mainshaft and friction drive element in rotation; rotary Winding meansincluded in each winding head and aligned with the carrier means forde-reeling elongated material to be Wound, said rotary winding means ofeach head extending from the head toward the said main shaft and thesaid friction drive element; a friction drive wheel fixed on each rotarywinding means for rotation with the rotary winding means and engageablewith the friction drive element to be driven by the friction driveelement, and a torque bar structure secured to each winding head forimparting pivotal movement to the winding head as the mounting platerotates, each torque bar structure comprising a torque tube secured tothe winding head fixedly and a torque bar slidable but nonrotatable inthe torque tube, said torque bar being pivotally connected to the saidmain shaft for rotary movement about the shaft.

7. In coil winding apparatus, in combination: a mounting plate; awinding head on the mounting plate having a base member pivotallysupported for movement on the plate; a bracket having upstanding armsand supported on the base member; a housing pivotally supportedbewhereby each winding head is i tween the said arms for movement in avertical plane, rotary winding means included in the head and comprisingshaft means projecting from one end of the head, a spindle rotatablymounted but fixed against longitudinal movement in the said housingprojecting from the housing in an opposite direction from the shaftmeans, and a flexible connection outside of the housing securing theshaft means to the spindle for rotation together and whereby the spindleand housing are movable in a vertical plane relative to the shaft means;a torque tube projecting above the housing and secured to the bracketfixedly; a torque bar slidable and non-rotatable in the torque tube;means to drive the mounting plate in rotation in a closed path about anaxis which extends perpendicularly to the path, a main shaft on the saidaxis, and means carried by the outer extremity of the torque barrotatably engageable with said main shaft whereby said head isconstrained to follow the mounting plate in the path, a friction driveelement on the main shaft, means to drive the main shaft and thefriction drive element in rotation, and a drive wheel on the extremityof the spindle and engageable with the friction drive element to bedriven thereby.

8. Coil winding apparatus, as claimed in claim 7 and in which saidwinding head includes a counting device connected to said rotary windingmeans, a solenoid having an armature mechanically coupled to saidhousing and arranged to move said housing vertically when said solenoidis energized, and electric circuit means including control means in saidcounting device operable upon attainment of predetermined number ofturns of said rotary means to energize said solenoid to thereby movesaid housing vertically.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS966,827 Gustave Aug. 9, 1910 2,021,031 Swanson Nov. 12, 1935 2,263,371Tolnai Nov. 18, 1941 2,670,149 Perry Feb. 23, 1954 2,714,271 StrattonAug. 2, 1955

